2022 Best Men’s Frontside Skis: Blizzard Brahma 88
If you like to go fast, keep it on edge, and are a strong skier, then the Blizzard Brahma 88 is a solid frontside ski for you.
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Brand: Blizzard
Model: Brahma 88
Overall Ranking: #7
Overall Score: 3.91 / 5
Specs
Tip / Waist / Tail (mm)
128-88-110
Lengths (cm)
165, 171, 177, 183, 189
Radius (m)
16 (177 length)
Waist Width (mm)
88
Gender
Unisex
Level
Advanced to Expert
Rocker Technology
Yes
Core Material
Wood, Titanal
Sidewall Construction
Sandwich
Stability at Speed
4.54 / 5
Quickness / Maneuverability
3.86 / 5
Playfulness
3.64 / 5
Forgiveness
3.32 / 5
Hard Snow Performance
4.5 / 5
Crud Performance
4.04 / 5
Balance of Skills
3.86 / 5
Flotation
3.32 / 5
While the overall appearance of the Blizzard Brahma 88 might give the impression that it’s a narrow all-mountain ski, the reality is that these are Formula 1-inspired superchargers. With the right tune, the Brahma would likely score in the top 5 of the carving category. All of the ski’s damp power was favored by the stronger testers who wanted to keep the speed at Lewis Hamilton-levels in all conditions. “This ski is a charger, it has plenty of guts and is a very versatile tool for advanced skiers,” says tester Todd Casey. “But not the most forgiving if you get lazy or impatient.”
Blizzard refined the feel of the Brahma 88 last season with the addition of a TruBlend wood core, which puts harder, denser wood types underfoot but softer wood in the tip and tail. This mapping of materials gives the ski a unique feel at the beginning and end of a turn, but two layers of wall-to-wall Titanal give the ski a ton of extra horsepower. In other words, be sure to do lots of squats and deadlifts to make sure your legs can handle these skis. “Benchmark for the category,” notes SKI Test Director Jon Jay. “The Brahma is as smooth on frozen crud as it was on pristine ‘roy.”
“It’s the real deal for the most aggressive drivers,” summarizes tester Matt Schiller, who was likely channeling Max Verstappen on the ski hill. “Don’t be hesitant with the power and brawn of the Blizzard construction, I promise it will make you a better skier and not slap you for trying.”
- Strengths: Hard Snow Integrity (3rd in category), Stability at Speed (3rd)
- Weaknesses: Forgiveness (15th), Playfulness (10th)
Buy the Blizzard Brahma 88: evo | Skis.com
Learn about Blizzard’s TrueBlend Construction
This Year’s Best Men’s Frontside Skis
See More of Blizzard’s Top Skis for this Season
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Blizzard Brahma 88 – 2021 Men’s Frontside Ski Review
Like a European sports car, the all-new Brahma 88’s performance is jawdroppingly good at high speeds. The ski’s new TrueBlend core maps out harder and softer woods at key locations and is sandwiched between two edge-to-edge sheets of Titanal, meaning this is a burly ski that strong skiers will cherish. Testers couldn’t find a speed limit or chink in its armor.
STRENGTHS: Hard-Snow Integrity, Stability at Speed
WEAKNESSES: Forgiveness, Playfulness
Shop for the 2021 Blizzard Brahma 88: REI | evo | Amazon
See all of 2021’s Best Frontside Skis for Men
Read more about Blizzard’s TrueBlend Core Technology
Shop Talk 2021 Vail Preview: Blizzard TrueBlend Core
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| Blizzard Brahma 88 - 2021 Men's Frontside Ski Scores | |
| OVERALL RATING | 4.35 / 5 |
| QUICKNESS / MANEUVERABILITY | 4.36 / 5 |
| PLAYFULNESS | 4.13 / 5 |
| FORGIVENESS | 3.82 / 5 |
| HARD SNOW PERFORMANCE | 4.77 / 5 |
| CRUD PERFORMANCE | 4.23 / 5 |
| BALANCE OF SKILLS | 4.23 / 5 |